Definitions

(verb) to push aside; to move aside
(verb) to dial (phone); to tune (radio)
(verb) to allocate; to set aside (money)
(verb) to pluck (a string instrument)

Etymology

To dispatch  goods by hand 

About

The character "拨" traces its origins to the traditional form "撥", which combines the hand radical signifying manual action with a phonetic component that also contributed to its early meaning of moving or pushing something aside, such as stirring or poking. Over time, its semantic range expanded beyond physical manipulation to encompass abstract actions like allocating resources or designating funds, reflecting broader applications in administrative and financial contexts. The structure was altered in the simplified version, where the traditional phonetic element was replaced by "发", a component that maintains a similar sound while reducing visual complexity. Subsequent developments saw the character adopted for modern technical operations, including dialing telephones or adjusting mechanical settings, thereby extending its utility from concrete hand movements to metaphorical and technological domains.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

妈妈打了手机。

Māma bōdǎ le shǒujī.

Mom dialed the mobile phone.

开了窗帘。

Tā bōkāi le chuānglián.

He parted the curtains.

政府款建学校。

Zhèngfǔ bōkuǎn jiàn xuéxiào.

The government allocated funds to build a school.

微风动了湖面。

Wēifēng bōdòng le hú miàn.

The breeze stirred the lake surface.

你需要号上网。

Nǐ xūyào bōhào shàngwǎng.

You need to dial up to access the internet.

弄着吉他弦。

Tā bōnòng zhe jítā xián.

He was strumming the guitar strings.

公司付了项目资金。

Gōngsī bōfù le xiàngmù zījīn.

The company appropriated the project funds.

在紧急情况下,他迅速通了救援电话,并清晰说明了情况。

Zài jǐnjí qíngkuàng xià, tā xùnsù bōtōng le jiùyuán diànhuà, bìng qīngxī shuōmíng le qíngkuàng.

In an emergency, he quickly dialed the rescue phone number and clearly explained the situation.